Questions & answers about the summary list of things that should not be flushed down drains and into septic tanks nor into other onsite wastewater disposal systems
At the top of this page and repeated below we provide a printer-friendly summary list of things that should not be flushed down the toilet, in a format suitable for printing and posting in bathrooms. This document summarizes a series of articles that explains how to extend the life of the septic system by being careful about what goes into it. Please see see TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST for a complete inventory of things that should not be flushed down building drains.
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At the top of this page and repeated below we provide a printer-friendly summary list of things that should not be flushed down the toilet, in a format suitable for printing and posting in bathrooms.
Please see TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST or the individual articles below for a complete inventory of things that should not be flushed down building drains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the summary list of things that should not be flushed down drains nor into septic systems
Question: flushing toys into drains or septic systems?
can you flush toys? - Deepesh
Reply: of course not
No deepesh, I can't imagine any toy that can safely be flushed down a toilet. For example, plastics won't biodegrade in the septic tank and any toys flushed down a drain risk clogging piping. At TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST you will find a more complete list of stuff to keep out of toilets, drains, and septic tanks or sewers.
Question: how much water would be "too much" water to be flushed into a septic system
"Water in large quantities"
What would be a "large quantity"?
1 gallon? 2 gallons? Swimming pool? - Tim
Reply: Water volumes that exceed the design load for septic system - x gallons/day
Tim,
About "how much water is too much for a septic system to handle?", let's be reasonable. Posed by your question, a gallon of water would hardly be a "large" quantity since that's less than some toilet flushes. And a bath tub or shower use typically consume 30-50 gallons of water. A typical home septic system is designed to accept a daily wastewater load of 100-200 gallons per person in a household.
What can flood a septic drainfield and/or even damage a septic effluent dosing system are water volumes that exceed the anticipated daily design load. Examples of "large quantities of water" that damage septic system are most often found where equipment is malfunctioning:
- a water softener stuck in "regen" cycle can pump water continuously into the septic system, hundreds of gallons a day added to the normal load
- leaky toilets and other fixtures might, depending on flow rate, also flood the system
- putting together a local laundromat and connecting it to a typical residential septic system would flood and overload the system
- failing to keep groundwater away from the septic tank or drainfield flood the system and lead to its failure.
About a swimming pool, I'm doubtful that anyone would try emptying a swimming pool into a septic system, but indeed, I have seen failed drainfields that were saturated when a homeowner repeatedly emptied pool filter backwash waters and annual swimming pool drain-out waters directly onto the septic drainfield or soakaway bed.
Thanks for asking - these are important clarifications.
Question: What's the difference between "never flush" and "better not flush" categories of building drain and septic system care warnings?
Why are some of these items "never" and others "better not". I don't understand the distinction?
Also, why did deepesh ask about flushing toys down the toilet? Deepesh, do you really have no other way of disposing of them?
- Randy
Reply: Definition of "never flush" and "better not flush" drain dumping and septic system protection categories
Randy: good question. Thanks for asking for this clarification on the difference between NEVER FLUSH and BETTER NOT FLUSH things into a septic tank.
Having researched various expert sources on septic tank and system care as well as having investigated septic system failures, in my OPINION some materials are very harmful and likely to cause costly damage if flushed down drains and into septic tanks and drainfields, while others may also contaminate groundwater, nearby wells, and the environment. Those items go into the NEVER FLUSH INTO SEPTICS category of things to keep out of drains and septic systems.
Other items, like cigarette butts, do not biodegrade in the septic tank, and can possibly contribute mass to a clog or blockage in a drain, but their individual size and anticipated plausible volume of occurrence in a septic tank is so small as unlikely to actually damage the tank. Rather they add non-biodegradable mass that has to be removed when the tank is pumped. These are a bad idea - they risk remaining in the waste chain, even being spread in sludge on a field somewhere where they still don't biodegrade - but as their probability of causing rapid or expensive damage to the septic system is much less or even nil, I put these into the BETTER NOT TO FLUSH category.
At TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST our summary page for this topic, and among the links at page left under that heading, you'll see a series of articles that explain the hazards of dumping or spilling various materials into drains and into septic systems.
Questions & Answers regarding this article
Questions & answers about the summary list of things that should not be flushed down drains and into septic tanks nor into other onsite wastewater disposal systems
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Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
...
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389
(2006), Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies.
Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going
for homeowners but is a text we recommend for professionals--DF.
AEROBIC SEPTIC SYSTEMS
Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manua [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
"International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
"Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill. Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers: * Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
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